September 2022 - 42

4k contract. Here, 4k faces serious
issues on a spade lead.
Hand
2k
Scores: 5l 10; (3) Dbl 9; 4k 4;
3NT 2.
Milne-Hung 32, Hand-Neumann 40
Problem 6
East deals. E-W vulnerable.
West
East
 K 2
k A 7 6 5 4
l K Q J
' J 5 2
Milne
2k
2NT
3NT
5NT
6
Pass
The 2k response was forcing to
game. Hung could have rebid 3',
which they even play shows some
extra values, but he didn't like the
quality of his clubs. He decided on
2 instead, which this pair allows
with a five-card suit. Milne rebid
a natural 2NT, and now Hung took
the opportunity to show his clubs.
Being reassured about his weak club
holding, and with very solid diamond
stoppers, Milne bid 3NT. With his
undisclosed extra values, Hung bid
a quantitative 4NT. Deciding that
he wanted to play in a slam, but
being unsure which one, Milne bid
5NT. This is a treatment accurately
called " pick-a-slam, " which sends
the message that he wants to play in
slam but needs help deciding on the
strain. Both players in turn offered
the option of a 5-2 major-suit fit, but
neither offer was accepted due to the
weak nature of the long suits. The
auction ended in 6NT, which Milne
admits went a little off the rails. He
suggests that he should simply have
passed 4NT.
42 | Bridge Bulletin | September 2022
 A J 5 4 3
k K 10
l A 9
' A 9 7 3
Hung
1
2
3'
4NT
6k
6NT
3NT
Neumann
1
2NT
Pass
The standard 1 opening and 2k
response were made by Neumann
and Hand. Neumann decided to rebid
2NT, for which he certainly had
both minor suits stopped. Hand had
a clear raise to 3NT, and there they
rested. Sometimes balanced hands
in the 16-point range can be a little
awkward to show when playing 2/1
forcing to game, but going low worked
very well here.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-2k;
3'-3NT; Pass. It seems best for
opener to show the clubs, in case
that might be the right suit to play in.
Even if opener were to raise 3NT to
4NT, the auction should end there.
Scores: 3NT 11; 4NT 9; 4k/4 4;
6NT 2.
Milne-Hung 34, Hand-Neumann 51
Problem 7
South deals. Both vulnerable.
West
 7
k A K Q 7
Milne
2'
4l
5l
Pass
The 2' opening was strong and
artificial, and the 2l response was
waiting. 4l was natural and very
strong with a great suit. With his support
and nice cards outside, Hung bid
4NT (Roman key card Blackwood).
5l showed zero or 3 key cards (obviously
3 in this case), and Hung made
the enterprising decision to place the
East
 K 8
k J 3
l A K Q J 9 5 4 l 10 7 6
' K
Hung
2l
4NT
6NT
' A 10 9 8 5 3
contract in 6NT. Very well done.
Hand
2'
3l
4k
5k
6NT
Neumann
2l
4l
4
5
Pass
After the same 2' opening and 2l
response, Hand rebid 3l. Neumann
had nice enough support to raise to
4l. 4k was asking about key cards
with diamonds as trumps, just like
4NT commonly does for most players.
4 showed 1 or 4 key cards. 5k
is commonly used to show all the key
cards and ask for outside kings. Hand
and Neumann are able to use this bid
to locate kings despite missing an
ace. Neumann showed his K, and
Hand took a chance on 6NT. Hand
admits that he mistook who would be
declaring the notrump contract, but
if the A is onside, this will still be
the best contract.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 2'-2l;
3l-4l; 4k-4NT; 5-6NT; Pass.
BBS allows a control bid in hearts,
letting responder take control and
crucially right-side the spade holding
for notrump play.
Scores: 6NT(E) 12; 6l 9, 6NT(W) 6;
5l 3; 6k 2
Milne-Hung 46, Hand-Neumann 57
Problem 8
West deals. None vulnerable.
West
 K J 10 5 2
k A 7
l K J 10
' A 3 2
Milne
Hand
1NT
Pass
East
 Q 4
k 9 3
l Q 4 2
' K Q 10 9 8 4
Hung
Neumann
3NT
September 2022

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